Return to the Source - Ma Ganga Pilgrimage Sacred sites, ceremonies, natural inspiration, temples, and experiences along the northern River Ma Ganga in the sacred towns of Rishikesh, Haridwar and the forests surrounding on safari will create an experience of a lifetime. These sites will not just be visited but revered through satsang and presence. We start with 9 days/8 nights in Rishikesh. Next, spend 2 nights/3 days in Haridwar where we will enjoy a luxury hotel with option to indulge in spa treatments and beautiful scenery while visiting sacred ceremonies and sites. We end our pilgrimage with 3 nights/4 days at cottages in the jungle where we will take 2 guided safaris. Planning again for November 2026 To register, EMAIL US AT: [email protected]
Here is our general plan, but its important to understand that these plans can change…The India experience is one of adaptability and respect for both the calm and chaos of this culture. Everything we do will be an opportunity to practice yoga. Whatever happens, it will be an incredible experience. Rishikesh - the Birthplace of Yoga (7 nights)
Arrive Sat morning, rest & explore
Starting Sun Daily: 7:30-10 am practice
Sun evening 7-9 pm: Satsang with Swamiji
Mon evening: Ganga Aarti at Parmarth Niketan ashram
Tues 12-4: Tour & Lunch at children's home and satsang with Swamiji at Ramana’s Garden deck
Weds: Sunrise at Shakti temple with view of Himalayas – satsang re Shakti with Raj
Optional: Advancedterrainhike down from Shakti temple with option to swim in a waterfall, or Ayurvedic Doctor consultation or services in town
Weds evening: Satsang/Yoga Nidra 7-9 pm with Swamiji
Thurs 12-2: Lunch at children's home with Kirtan
Thurs evening: Optional: cooking class with "the spice man"
Friday Optional: Beatles ashram and funeral pyres with Raj or Ayurvedic Doctor consultation or services in town
Fri evening: Special Ganga Aarti with Raj
Saturday depart for monastery
Monastery, Vasistha's Cave & Satsang with Maa Gyan 3 nights in a secluded monastery on the River Ganga only accessible via a suspension bridge over the Ganga. Daily pilgrimages across the river to satsang with Maa Gyan and/or Vasistha's Cave. Delicious vegetarian meals included. Haridwar - the Gateway to the Gods 2 nights Propitiously nestled on the foothills of Gau Ghat - one of the sacred sights of Haridwar, and on the banks of the holy River Ganges, Ganga Lahari Hotel in Haridwar stands at the gateway to the Devbhoomi. Har ki Pauri, the sacred site, is just walking distance from the hotel. 2 nights luxury hotel & spa includes: · Breakfast included · Evening Tea and cookies at Aangan. · Spiritual live Bhajan Sandhya at the in house Temple. · Auspicious Holy dip at the ghat next to the hotel at Har-Ki-Pauri. · Welcome refreshment on arrival. · Two bottles of mineral water in the room replenished daily. · Turndown service. · 24 hours internet access. Hotel Ganga Lahari is set on the sacred banks of the Ganges in Haridwar. The hotel s a gem amongst the hotels in Haridwar. Ideally located near "Har ki Pari", the ghat on which a bath can cleanse a soul from all its earthen trappings, the hotel offers an enchanting as well as a convenient place to stay for pilgrims and tourists coming to Haridwar. The Kumbh Mela can be witnessed in all its glory and sanctimony from the Hotel Ganga Lahari, Haridwar. The majestic gatherings for "Ganga Aarti" can be viewed from Hotel Ganga Lahari's exquisite rooms and seating areas facing the grand river, giving you a glimpse of the vibrant Hindu culture and art. Guided Jungle Safari in Rajaji National Park & Tiger Reserve in the National Park from Haridwar: Sitting in a jeep looking at wonderful creations of nature roaming around you. Rajaji National Park, spread in the three districts (Dehradun, Pauri Garhwal and Haridwar) of Uttarakhand. It’s called Rajaji Tiger Reserve that covers the area 820 km where you will find various plants, trees and animal. In 1983, Govt. of India merged three wildlife sanctuaries, Chilla, Motichur and Rajaji into Rajaji National Park. You may see animals such as Asian elephants, leopards, hyena and tigers. While moving in a jeep, you may come across an Asian elephant drinking water on the side of river Ganga that flows right through the middle of the forest and sometimes there are tributary rivers within the jungle too where you can spot Elephants in groups or with their family. The significance of this protected forest is that the workers are highly devoted towards wildlife projects and sustainability. Animals are given lots of space and respect. There are Royal Bengal Tigers which you may spot if you are lucky. Also, there are striped hyenas, porcupines, pangolin, jackal, etc. which can be spotted. There are barking deer, spotted deer, Sāmbhar, peacocks, and so on, which will mesmerize you with their elegant beauty. You may also see Indian langur & porcupine, Monitor lizard, Python and Wild boar. Birders love Rajaji National Park! The park has 11 species of woodpeckers, 5 species of barbets and 3 species of hornbills including the Near Threatened Great Pied Hornbill. A total of 312 birds species has been recorded. Ground transport to Dehradun airport. Fly to Delhi morning of ________. Day Trip to The Taj Mahal Guided trip to the Taj Mahal from Delhi. Return to Delhi, delicious dinner buffet, and take turns refreshing in shared rooms prior to late flights that evening, or early next morning. Return Flights to US November ______, 2026. To register, EMAIL US AT: [email protected]
Retreat Costs for Two Weeks: $2999 for shared room (we can pair you with someone based on your preferences, if you like): -Rishikesh standard lodging: share with one other person – either twin beds or shared large bed (8 nights) - with activities, yoga, Satsang, etc. (food, dhana/gratuities on your own) -Haridwar luxury lodging & Safari: share with one other person – big luxury suite (2 nights) - breakfast included -Monastery (3 nights w meals) -Day Trip to Taj Mahal $3499 for single/private room: -Rishikesh private room (7 nights) with activities, yoga, satsang, etc. (food, dhana/gratuities on your own) -Monastery (3 nights w meals) -Haridwar private luxury room (2 nights) & Safari - breakfast included -Day trip to Taj Mahal
For those of you interested in YTT hours or CE hours, those are included in these prices. 80 hours total.
Fees for most activities (except Optional ones) are included in retreat pricing (except those activities like aarti and puja within walking distance or short autorickshaw in Rishikesh).
Food/Beverages are at your expense except for breakfast in Haridwar and all meals at the monastery are included (food is inexpensive in India)
To reserve your space: We have space for 25 on this retreat and we already have a list of 19 who are interested or who have reserved their space. To reserve your space, please email [email protected] or call her at 503-737-5609 Mon-Fri from 9-5 (if we don't have a cc on file for you, its better to call) and either: 1) Pay in full 2) Payment plan over how ever many months you choose (fee of $8.33/month for admin and cc fees).
Flight costs are not included in the retreat pricing:
Leave US _________: Find a flight that arrives in Delhi very early morning of ________ (those of us traveling from Portland will be arriving around 1 am and taking the first flight to Dehradun at 8 am - I aim inquiring about group booking discounts, if you are interested)
Delhi to Dehradun _______ non-stop flights 8 am to 6:15 pm $55-60 Indigo
Return flight very early morning of ________ – arrive back in US afternoon of ________
Flights run approximately: ~$1050-1200 r/t to Delhi from PDX (if interested in group rate out of PDX, contact [email protected]) ~ $120 roundtrip Indigo Delhi to Dehradun to Delhi
To register, EMAIL US AT: [email protected] We are so looking forward to sharing this truly incredible experience with you!
About Your Teachers:
Stephanie Adams Ruff Sharing the awareness, acceptance & transformation the practice of yoga brings to our lives is what truly inspires her. She has seen in others, and experienced herself, that regular practice inspires one to greater peace, authenticity, connection, & joy.
Steph is deeply grateful to yoga, and honors the tradition, in her teachings. She leads a Return to the Source India trip every 3 years to both study and appreciate yoga. She has more than 30 years of yoga devotion & experience.
Some of her credentials include: Yoga Alliance 500 hour ERYT, YACEP, ACE Certified Personal Trainer, Bodymind Academy Fitness & Nutrition Certification, ACE Orthopedic Exercise Specialist, SAYF-Certified, and CETI Cancer Exercise Specialist.
"I am deeply thankful for what yoga has given me. Coming from a youth of trauma and fear, I have found deep love, connection and trust in life. I am in awe of this practice. It is so much more than what most people know or imagine it to be. Words cannot begin to describe the reverence and respect I have for this tradition. Thank you to all of my teachers, trainees and students. Deep bow to my yoga community. 🙏🏼✨🙏🏼"
Swami Omkarananda Swami’s lineage is "my main master.... to be honest I don’t have any main master. All have an important role in my life. Everyone has major role in my inner journey. Everyone is an enlightened being in their way. I studied vedant with Dayananda Saraswati ji , meditation with Swami Veda Bharati ji, lived with Lung Chu who is one of the Tibetan enlightened masters, practiced kundalini with Yogananda Swamiji in Gangotri, and few more swamiji in Himalayan mountains. Finally, I took sanyas from Kalyan Babaji who is master of heart and unconditional love." Swami Omkarananda lived with Anandamayi Ma in her ashram as a child. Sri Anandamayi Maa was an Indian saint. Swami Sivananda described her as "the most perfect flower the Indian soil has produced.” Swamiji gifted Stephanie with the Sanskrit name Pushti in 2017. Swami Omkarananda grew up with the great lady saint of India, Ma Anandamayi. He studied and lived with six enlightened Masters: Swami Dayananda Saraswati, Swami Veda Bharati, Swami Chidananda Saraswati, Dalai Lama, Lung Chu, and the Master of Masters Kalyan Babaji of Himalayas. Swamiji has multifaceted experience in the field of metaphysics, parapsychology, and mind-matter interaction like psychokinesis and psychic healing, as well as profound knowledge in Vedanta, Sanskrit, holistic lifestyle, and yoga. Swamiji has been on the spiritual and healing path since chilhood. He is an inituitive transformational healer, an expert in Mind Body-Spirit Intgration. From early childhood Swamiji has deep insights into the sphere of spirits and developed psychic abilities. These abilities help him come to know about the roots of his students and client problems. He is leading retreats and seminars around the globe. Swamiji also holds a degree in Engineering along with five Master degrees and a PhD in Metaphysics.
Registration Please email [email protected] or call Lia at 503-737-5609 to register. Flow Retreat Cancellation Policy for India Retreat:
Because we are pre-paying deposits for international travel, there is a non-refundable $500 fee for anyone registered (paying a deposit or paying in full is considered "registered") for this retreat.
If you cancel your reservation 120 days or more before the retreat start date, there is a non-refundable $500 fee. The remainder of the payment will be refunded to you.
If you cancel your reservation 60-120 days before the retreat start date, there is a non-refundable $500 fee. The remainder of the payment will be placed on a credit for Flow Studio, valid for two years.
If you cancel your reservation less than 60 days before your arrival date, no refund or credit will be issued, unless we can fill your space.
In this post-pandemic world, we highly recommend Traveler's Insurance to protect your travel investment (its surprisingly affordable): www.allianztravelinsurance.com/quote